Co-Parenting Considerations for Families with Neurodivergent Children: What Family Law Professionals Need to Know
Recorded live on Monday, March 18th at 12:00 - 1:30 PM CDT
Neurodiversity refers to differences in people’s brain function and behavior. It is often used when discussing the effects of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), dyslexia, and other neurological or developmental conditions. Neurodiversity is common in our society. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 1 in every 36 children in the United States has been diagnosed with ASD, up from 1 in 44 in 2018.
A neurodivergent person’s experiences and needs can vary greatly. Neurodiversity in a parent or child presents unique challenges for navigating the family law system. Family law professionals supporting families of children with special needs require a keen understanding of how such issues affect the allocation of parenting time, decision-making authority, and other areas of parental responsibility.
This 90-minute panel discussion provides valuable insights for family law professionals on what to consider when working with neurodivergent co-parents and co-parenting families with neurodivergent children.
This webinar recording is free to access.
Learning Objectives:
Upon the completion of the workshop, attendees will be able to:
- Explain neurodiversity and the impact it has on family law cases
- Describe special considerations that must be made when addressing allocations of parenting time and decision-making responsibilities for families involving a neurodiverse parent or child
- Identify the importance of collaborating or consulting with professionals with expertise in the cases involving neurodiversity
- Specify resources and services available to practitioners and the court when working on cases involving a neurodiverse parent or child
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Speakers
.png?width=1500&height=1500&name=Judge%20Martinez%20(1).png "Judge Martinez (1)")
Judge Maritza Martinez
Judge Maritza Martinez presides over cases in our Domestic Relations Division. She also previously presided over cases brought in the First Municipal District, in the Traffic Section, Felony Preliminary Hearings Section, Misdemeanor Section, Non-Jury Civil Section, and Forcible Entry and Detainer Section.
For 25 years prior to becoming a judge, Judge Martinez tried both criminal and civil matters, in federal and state court. She managed complex and heavy caseloads, oftentimes alleging catastrophic losses of paralysis or death, in both private practice and during her 13 years of public service. Her defense of City of Chicago employees and officials included litigation alleging civil rights and constitutional violations, discrimination, wrongful death, and intentional torts. She also prosecuted municipal ordinance violations for Chicago’s departments of police, revenue, health, consumer services, environment, streets and sanitation, and animal care and control. During her last 7 years of private practice, Judge Martinez also served as a Commissioner at the Illinois Court of Claims where she presided over claims brought against the State of Illinois.
Judge Martinez has always volunteered her time to public service, both personally and professionally. She served, by appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court, as an Inquiry Board Panel Chair and as an Oversight Committee Member of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, determining, for over 10 years, whether sufficient evidence existed in investigations alleging misconduct against Illinois attorneys. Judge Martinez has been an active volunteer within her community, regularly volunteers and speaks at public and parochial schools, volunteers as a judge at annual law school trial advocacy competitions, and serves as a mentor to minority students attending and interested in attending neighboring Chicago law schools.
Judge Martinez earned her Bachelor of Arts, English, from Loyola University Chicago, in 1988, and was admitted under the Third Year Admission Program to Loyola’s Law School, from where she earned her Juris Doctorate in 1989.
.png?width=250&height=250&name=Joanna%20Toch%20(1).png "Sarah E. Kay")
Sarah E. Kay, Esq., BCS
Sarah E. Kay, through her firm Kay Family Law PLLC in Tampa, Florida, directly helps Florida’s families as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law and Appellate Mediator and a collaborative attorney. She also supports solo and small firms throughout Florida through freelance research, writing, and consulting services.
Leadership is among Sarah’s strengths. Sarah is the 2023-2024 Chair of The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar and was the 2017-2018 President of the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers.
Her advanced degrees and certifications reflect Sarah’s love of learning. Sarah is Board Certified in Marital & Family Law by The Florida Bar and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (“AAML”). Sarah’s advanced training includes, her Juris Doctor degree, a Master’s in Education, a Master’s in Business Administration, a Certificate in Special Education Advocacy, and Professional Certifications in Fundamentals of Neurodiversity, Trauma & Resilience Levels 1 & 2, and Rebound & Recovery Cognitive Behavioral Education & Intervention for Early Childhood.
Sarah's passions include speaking, writing, and consulting on technology, alternative dispute resolution, the practice of law, and cases involving special needs children.
Cari M. Pines, CFLS
Cari M. Pines, CFLS is a Certified Family Law Specialist with an emphasis on family law matters that involve electronic evidence or children with special needs. Cari regularly consults, lectures and authors articles on these subjects and presents on a wide range of family law related issues.
The Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors for LevittQuinn Family Law Center, she has also previously served as the Chair of the Family Law Sections for both LACBA and SFVBA. Cari was responsible for administration of LACBA’s Family Law Daily Settlement Officer program most recently setting up virtual access to the program as well as creating the Virtual Settlement Program and Third Wednesday Project providing volunteer family law mediators for Los Angeles Superior Court.
A graduate of Georgetown Law School eDiscovery Academy, Cari and has held leadership roles in numerous family law organizations including CLA’s Law Practice Management & Technology Section, ACFLS, AFCC and SFVBA and has created, produced and moderated educational programs including the Trial Tech program originally for the SFVBA Family Law Section and later as a joint program for LevittQuinn and ACFLS.
Rebecca Perra
Rebecca Perra is a bar-certified attorney in Pennsylvania and Connecticut as well as a Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator in the areas of Family and Dependency Law. She also serves as the Judicial Education Coordinator for OurFamilyWizard. In this role, she educates judges, lawyers, and other family law professionals on the online tools that are used to reduce conflict and increase accountability in high-conflict co-parenting situations.
About OurFamilyWizard
Working alongside clients on OurFamilyWizard, family law and mental health practitioners can assist families to move beyond conflict and co-parent with confidence. OurFamilyWizard's web and mobile applications offer parents living separately an array of tools to easily track parenting time, share important family information, manage expenses, and create an accurate, clear log of co-parenting communication.
